By Correspondent, The CNN : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presented Begum Rokeya Padak-2023 to 5 accomplished women in recognition of their contribution and
glorious role in various fields.
He handed over the medals to them at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Saturday (December 9) morning.
The recipient of the medal is – Khaleda Ekram, the first female vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in women’s education, posthumously (Dhaka district), Dr. Dr. in establishing women’s rights. Halida Hanum Akhtar (Rangpur district), Kamrunnesha Ashraf Dina for women’s socio-economic development, posthumously (Netrakona district), Nishat Majumdar (Laxmipur district) for encouraging women’s awakening and Ranita Bala (Thakurgaon district) for rural development.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira presided over the ceremony and the secretary of the ministry Najma Mubarek gave a welcome speech.
Begum Rokeya Padak is awarded every year on December 9 for the outstanding achievements of women in various fields of society in keeping with the work and ideals of Begum Rokeya, the pioneer of women’s awakening.
Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born on December 9, 1880 in Payaraband village of Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district. At that time there was no way to teach girls education in Muslim society. So even though he had no formal education, he learned to read and write Urdu, Bengali, Arabic and Farsi from his elder brother in secret from everyone in the family. His brother and elder sister played a significant role in shaping his education and values in his life. Begum Rocare got married to Syed Sakhawat Hossain in Bhagalpur, Bihar. With the encouragement of her husband and her own interest, she expanded her education. Begum Rokeya died on 9 December 1932.
Begum Rokeya was voted sixth in BBC Bengal’s Greatest Bengali of All Time poll in 2004.
He is known as essayist, novelist, literary and social reformer. His notable works are Matichur, Sultana’s Dream, Padmaraag, Obradh-Basini. The day is now an officially observed national day.
